Iran Buying Diesel Subs From Ex-soviet Republics

OTHER NEWS TO NOTE - WASHINGTON

January 22, 1992

Iran is buying up to three diesel-powered attack submarines from the former Soviet republics in a move that could enable it to challenge U.S. warships or disrupt the vital flow of oil to Western nations through the Persian Gulf, the director of U.S. naval intelligence said Tuesday. The orders for the advanced diesel submarines are part of a broad, $10 billion effort by Iran to rebuild its military by purchasing fighter planes, arms and materiel from the former Soviet Union, North Korea and China. Rear Adm. Edward Sheafer Jr., who heads the Navy's intelligence branch, said in an interview he doubted Iran could succeed in sealing off the Persian Gulf for a lengthy period. But, he said, ''Quiet, modern diesel submarines are very, very difficult targets'' for anti-submarine forces to locate.